Initial Peer Reviewer Training
Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)
Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)
Fundamentals of the 8th Edition Standards (FOS)
How to Prepare for Reaccreditation (HPR)
COA After School Initial Endorser Training Program

Initial Peer Reviewer Training

2 Days

August 7, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
August 8, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This training is geared toward CEOs, executive directors, and senior administrative and clinical staff members that are employed by COA-accredited agencies or agencies that are currently undergoing the COA accreditation process. By becoming a Peer Reviewer you will learn how other agencies operate effectively, support the provision of high-quality services, influence enhancements to COA’s standards, and network with other professionals. Join the nearly 1,000 professionals who have become Peer Reviewers. Individuals interested in attending this training will need to meet eligibility requirements and complete an application.

Please note that only those Peers Reviewers who have applied and been approved as Peer Reviewers are invited to this training.

To obtain a Peer Reviewer application, please email us at peerapplications@coanet.org.

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Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)

2 Days

August 7, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
August 8, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Course: IAT provides a basic overview of COA's 8th Edition Standards, the COA process, and the fundamental organizational requirements for achieving accreditation status. Training will include instructions on how to develop the self-study document and tips and tools to facilitate a successful accreditation experience.

Audience: Organization and/or staff new to the accreditation process.

Materials: Participants will receive the following:

• A hard copy of the Administration and Management, Administrative Service Delivery, and select Service Standards.
• A training workbook with tools, instruments, and other materials designed to assist the organization in its planning and preparations.

Outcomes: During this training, participants will:

• Become familiar with COA's mission, core principles and philosophy.
• Learn about Contextual Accreditation and how it influences COA's process, timelines, the 8th Edition Standards, the self-study document, and site visit requirements.
• Enhance their understanding of the 8th Edition Standards.
• Learn the rating system and how to apply it to assess organizational readiness.
• Obtain tools and learn practical skills for mobilizing work groups, assigning tasks, and developing timeframes.
• Learn how to prepare for the site visit and what Peer Reviewers will be looking for during the visit.

Cost: $450 per person

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Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)

2 Days

August 7, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
August 8, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Course: PQI is designed to help organizations develop a comprehensive approach to a quality improvement process that will advance an efficient, effective service delivery system and will enhance organizational capacity to deliver quality services. This training will utilize COA 8th Edition Standards as a vehicle for understanding how quality improvement is a catalyst for successfully achieving strategic goals and program outcomes.

Audience: Staff interested in enhancing knowledge of quality improvement and skills for advancing a quality improvement process.

Materials: Participants will receive the following:

• A hard copy of the Administration and Management, Administrative Service Delivery, and select Service Standards.
• A training workbook with tools, instruments, and other materials designed to assist the organization in its planning and preparations.

Outcomes: During this training, participants will:

• Learn the theory behind quality improvement and how it builds organizational capacity and eliminates barriers to achieving optimal performance.
• Learn the philosophy, structure, and core principles of the PQI standards.
• Understand the fundamentals of the PQI standards requirements.
• Recognize the qualities needed to provide organizational leadership that will establish a culture that promotes identification of risks and encourages learning from challenges.
• Learn about: leadership endorsement of quality and performance values, the foundation for broad use of PQI, support for performance and outcomes measurement, analyzing and reporting information, use of communication and quality information to make improvements, and staff training and support.

Cost: $450 per person

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Fundamentals of the 8th Edition Standards (FOS)

1 Day

August 7, 2009: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Course: FOS provides an overview of the 8th Edition Administrative Standards, highlighting those standards that are most difficult for organizations to meet. The course will include tips and ideas for building staff capacity and assessing the organization's readiness for accreditation.

Note: Please do not attend both IAT and FOS since some material is repetitive.

Audience: Staff of organizations interested in the COA accreditation process, seeking accreditation for the first time, or preparing for reaccreditation.

Materials: Participants will receive the following:

• A hard copy of the Administration and Management, Administrative Service Delivery, and select Service Standards.
• A training workbook with tools, instruments, and other materials designed to assist the organization in its planning and preparation for a successful accreditation process.

Outcomes: During this training, participants will:

• Enhance understanding of the philosophy and structure of the 8th Edition Standards.
• Become familiar with current data about what constitutes the greatest "stumbling blocks" for organizations during the process.
• Learn how to connect positive performance and implementation under the 8th Edition Standards.
• Learn COA's rating system and how to apply it to assess organizational readiness.

Cost: $325 per person

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How to Prepare for Reaccreditation (HPR)

1 Day

August 8, 2009: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Course: HPR is designed to assist organizations already accredited with COA as they prepare for reaccreditation. Training will include current data on the standards that constitute the greatest stumbling blocks for organizations and an overview of the reaccreditation process. Tips and ideas for building staff and organizational capacity for reaccreditation will be integrated throughout the training.

Note: Participants should not attend both FOS and HPR since some material is repetitive.

Audience: This training is designed only for those who are familiar with the 8th Edition Standards.

Materials: Participants will receive the following:

• A hard copy of the Administration and Management, Administrative Service Delivery, and select Service Standards.
• A training workbook with tools, instruments, and other materials designed to assist the organization in its planning and preparation for a successful accreditation process.

Outcomes: During this training, participants will:

• Enhance understanding of the reaccreditation process and the philosophy and structure of the 8th Edition Standards.
• Learn which Administration and Management and Service Delivery Administration standards are frequent stumbling blocks for organizations and obtain technical assistance on how to implement these standards.
• Review COA’s Preliminary Accreditation Report and Final Accreditation Report, and learn how to use these documents to enhance your organization’s capacity for delivering quality services.
• Understand COA’s rating system and learn how Peer Reviewers assess your capacity.
• Enhance understanding of what to expect at the site visit, and learn how to prepare staff and reduce anxiety.

Cost: $325 per person

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COA After School Initial Endorser Training Program

1 Day

August 8, 2009: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

This training is specifically designed for those professionals with after school administration and programming expertise that have been approved by COA as After School Endorsers. The training will consist of an overview of COA’s history, the after school recognition process, Contextual Accreditation, the volunteer operating policies and procedures, COA’s After School Accreditation Standards and after school endorser site visit/desk review responsibilities.

This training is a requirement for approved After School Endorsers who would like to conduct site and desk reviews. If you would like to apply to become an approved Endorser please email Jennifer Flowers at jflowers@coanet.org

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